NASHUA — A North Carolina woman has been indicted on multiple counts of wire fraud in connection with the embezzlement of over $500,000 from Farwell Funeral Service, according to U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young.
LaSaundra Simmons, 51, formerly of Nashua, faces 10 counts of wire fraud following her indictment on Dec. 6.
Simmons was arrested in North Carolina on Dec. 11 and released on conditions on Jan. 3.
Simmons, who worked as a bookkeeper for the funeral home, is accused of initiating unauthorized wire transfers and writing unauthorized checks to herself from the company’s bank account, labeling them as “commissions” or “consulting fees.”
The fraudulent activity reportedly began in 2015 and continued undetected until January.
Each wire fraud charge carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a maximum of three years of supervised release, and fines up to $250,000.
Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge, guided by the U.S.
Sentencing Guidelines and relevant statutes.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Nashua Police Department conducted the investigation, with Assistant U.S.
Attorney Charles L. Rombeau leading the prosecution.
As the case proceeds, it is important to note that the allegations in the charging documents are not evidence of guilt.
Simmons is considered innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
